Dr. Huei Peng named director of the Mobility Transformation Center; Carrie Morton appointed deputy director
Dr. Huei Peng has been named director of the Mobility Transformation Center (MTC) at the University of Michigan, an interdisciplinary research unit of the U-M Office of Research. In addition, Carrie Morton has been appointed to the position of deputy director of the MTC.
Peng is the Roger L. McCarthy Professor of Mechanical Engineering at U-M, and he has served as associate director of MTC since its launch in 2013. His research focuses on the design and control of electrified vehicles and connected/automated vehicles. He has also been the U.S. director of the Department of Energy sponsored Clean Energy Research Center—Clean Vehicle Consortium (CERC-CVC), which supports more than 30 projects related to the development of clean vehicles in the U.S. and China. Peng received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
“Huei has been active in the development of MTC from its inception,” said S. Jack Hu, U-M vice president for research. “His deep knowledge of advanced transportation technology and his broad experience working with industry and government sponsors will be critical to the continuing success of the center.”
As director, Peng will provide overall leadership of the MTC, which is working with industry, government and academic departments across campus to develop the foundation for a commercially viable ecosystem of connected and automated vehicles that will dramatically improve safety, sustainability, and accessibility.
The MTC has partnerships with over 50 companies as well as with federal, state, and local governments. In July 2015, MTC launched Mcity, the world’s first simulated urban and suburban environment designed specifically for safe, rigorous testing of connected, automated, and autonomous vehicles in controlled, real-world conditions.
Carrie Morton joined the MTC as managing director early in 2014. In that role she has overseen the day-to-day operations of the center, working to build and coordinate relationships with U-M faculty and staff as well as with industry and government collaborators. As deputy director, she will also take a more active role in supporting MTC strategy development and execution.
“Carrie has played a vital role in strengthening relationships between MTC and its partners, while effectively managing daily operations through the center’s launch and early growth,” Hu said. “As deputy director, she’ll build on that experience as we work to enhance the research and educational impact of the MTC.”
Before joining MTC, Morton served a dual role in the U-M Energy Institute, managing business development and serving as assistant director of CERC-CVC. She joined U-M in 2011 after a decade of experience in technical and management positions in the automotive industry, most recently with the Robert Bosch Corp. as manager of government projects. Morton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Engineering degree in automotive engineering, both from U-M.